Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit: Denise Jaden! Plus GIVEAWAY!

Denise Jaden is here to talk about her debut novel, LOSING FAITH. She's also offered to giveaway a copy of the book on my blog (U.S. entries only). Just comment on this entry for a chance to win and I'll post the winner Saturday.

About the Book:

When Brie's sister, Faith, dies suddenly, Brie's world falls apart. As she goes through the bizarre and devastating process of mourning the sister she never understood and barely even liked, everything in her life seems to spiral farther and farther off course. Her parents are a mess, her friends don't know how to treat her, and her perfect boyfriend suddenly seems anything but.

As Brie settles into her new normal, she encounters more questions than closure: Certain facts about the way Faith died just don't line up. Brie soon uncovers a dark and twisted secret about Faith's final night...a secret that puts her own life in danger.

Our Interview:

KRISTINA: In my book, THE ESPRESSOLOGIST, Jane, a coffee barista, matchmakes people based on their favorite coffee drinks. What's your favorite coffee drink? (If you don't like coffee, tell me what your favorite drink in general is. But I am sorry, you'll never find love. Kidding!)

DENISE: I'm a little boring when it comes to coffee. I love a nice Americano. Or if I'm really feeling fancy, a mocha.

KRISTINA: I am always curious about when and where writers write. Can you tell me about your schedule and your favorite place to work?

DENISE: I almost always work at my tiny desk in the corner of our living room. My son and I work at homeschool in the mornings, then hit the gym and he has a short quiet time while I write in the afternoons.

KRISTINA: When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?

DENISE: Only recently. About seven years ago, I started typing away what started as a journal, but quickly became fictional. It was so much fun, I couldn't stop, and within the year, I knew I wanted to become a writer.

KRISTINA: How do you come up with the names of your characters?

DENISE: I'm always picking up names from new places. If I'm out at a restaurant or grocery store and notice a clerk with an interesting name, or a name full of character, I always jot it in my phone. With Losing Faith, the main character, Brie, was actually named after my husband's birth sister, who we just met for the first time a few years ago.

KRISTINA: Are you on twitter? Where can we follow you?

DENISE: Yes, I love Twitter! I'm on there under @denisejaden

KRISTINA: What are you working on now?

DENISE: I'm working on another YA novel called Appetite For Beauty. It's about a cheeky and forthright girl who discovers a dangerous, self-destructive side in her sister, and has to decide between helping her sister and a powerful and unfamiliar desire to become appealing to a mysterious boy.

Rave Reviews:

“Strong in its characterization…satisfying…a thoughtful read.”

-VOYA

"This book is wonderful. I stayed up way too late because I couldn't put it down. Tessa is one of my all-time favorite characters - fascinating, nuanced - she lived for me, jumped right off the page. Terrific read!"
- Janet Fox, author of Faithful (Penguin/Speak, 2010)
and Get Organized Without Losing It (Free Spirit Publishing, 2006)

"Suspense, religion, romance, teenage angst—this book has it all and it is all well done. Losing Faith was an amazing read that hooked me in the beginning and when it was done I was well-satisfied with the conclusion. Great from start-to-finish!"
- Crystal at myreadingroom-crystal.blogspot.com

Bio:

Denise Jaden lives just outside Vancouver, Canada. When she’s not writing, she can often be found homeschooling her son or dancing with her Polynesian dance troupe. Losing Faith is her first novel. Find out more at denisejaden.com. View her book trailer here.